Human Movement Analysis

From elite sport to clinical rehabilitation, we are constantly trying to enhance the physical capabilities of the human body. Today, the main tool in this process is movement analysis.

This course is a practical exploration of that topic. Following a brief general introduction to Human Movement Sciences and the presentation of a number of two and three-dimensional motion-capture techniques, you move into our extensive laboratory. Fitted with force plates, treadmills and even a climbing wall, here you collect your own data by performing relatively simple biomechanical experiments. In the second part of the course you analyse that material using MATLAB, a world-renowned numerical computing environment. As well as learning the ins and outs of this unique software tool, you also acquire the basics of digital signal analysis.

Course leader

Drs. Theo de Haan

Target group

Students and professionals from a wide range of science-oriented disciplines, such as Biology, Health Sciences, Physics, Physiotherapy, Sports Sciences and, of course, Human Movement Sciences. Our courses are multi-disciplinary and therefore are open to students and professionals with a wide variety of backgrounds.

Course aim

This course acquaints you with various movement registration techniques and their use in sports and rehabilitation settings. By the end of it you will be able to use the MATLAB programming environment to perform basic digital signal analyses on movement data you have collected yourself.

Credits info

3 ECTS
Contact hours: 45
If you want to earn more credits you can take courses in our other sessions to create a 4 or 6 week programme.

An early bird discount of €150 is available for students who apply and pay before 15 March, and students from VU Amsterdam as well as from exchange partner universities will receive a €250 discount. You apply for the discount simply by indicating that you are currently a student at VU Amsterdam or at a partner university in the online application.

There are also discounts for students who attend multiple sessions, combine 2 courses and receive a €200 discount and combine 3 to receive a €300 discount. All courses include excursions. We will also organize trips and excursions as part of our social programme, which is a great way to get to know your fellow students and learn more about Amsterdam and the Netherlands. The social programme is not included in the tuition fee.

Furnished accommodation is available. Various housing options will be offered.

Scholarships

The VU Amsterdam Summer School offers ten scholarships that cover the full tuition and housing fees of one course. Information about how to apply for the scholarship will be posted on the VU Amsterdam Summer School website.